To the editor:

An important question that is repeatedly asked by the Kansas Board of Education concerning the topic of sex education in public schools has me concerned. I fear they will keep asking whether the state can change the public school sex ed offering from being “opt-out” to “opt in” until we get tired of repeatedly answering “no.”

With the proposed abstinence-only-until-marriage curriculum, I would have to repeatedly request that my children be offered courses in sex ed at public schools because, if I fail to do so, the only sex ed message will be “abstinence only until marriage.”

The conversation is much richer and more complex and not always easy, but is teaching kids to say “no, until I’m married,” really the extent to which we wish our public educators to be involved? I do not know about you but I need more help than that.

The wisdom surrounding STDs, unwanted pregnancies and infertility is quickly changing. I willingly accept help from my kids’ educators, school counselors and peer advisers in presenting the complex topic. If I have done my job, my kids will sort out the information and ask still more questions. “Abstinence only until marriage” feels like another attempt at censorship.

In the meantime, when my first child is in the fifth grade next year, you will find us at the Public Health Department where we’ll make fast use of its wonderful youth (with or without parent) evening sex ed course.

Leda Sedlock,

Lawrence